Christianity emphasized the idea of a
partnership between the ruler and the
people – the relationship was comparable to the tie between God and the
people. The contract was seen as an
instrument which connected allies.
Because of the fact that a Christian
ruler was chosen by God and had to
be benevolent and just, the people
trusted in fair and merciful acts.
During the Late Middle Ages the meaning of fixed rights became even more
important, enforceable laws were
established. The impairment of the
feudal system, the prospering growth
of the cities, commerce and finance
changed the social structure lastingly. In the aftermath the idea of a
contract came into focus: An unlegislated area was hypothetically stated
which was dated to a long ago past.
The natural state («bellum omnium
contra omnes») provoked the desire
for fixed rules. The social contract
was to accentuate the common interest
and create a basis for action. Unlike
other thinkers, Rousseau assumed that
man lived independent and peaceable
in his natural state. By owning goods
man did not remain autarkic but falls
into a role. He has become servant
or master and dependent in the same
way. Objectiveness is doubtful within
these functions. To overcome this
conflict every person has the desire
to comply with an order. Only the
state has the power to pass a law
which meets the will of people in
the whole.